1-(Lesiure)

> What is this life if, full of care,

> We have no time to stand and stare.

> No time to stand beneath the boughs

> And stare as long as sheep or cows.

> No time to see, when woods we pass,

> Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

> No time to see, in broad daylight,

> Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

> No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

> And watch her feet, how they can dance.

> No time to wait till her mouth can

> Enrich that smile her eyes began.

> A poor life this if, full of care,

> We have no time to stand and stare.

Summary:

In "Leisure," W. H. Davies reflects on the busy lives people lead, filled with stress, duties, and worries.
He argues that modern humans are so caught up in daily routines that they forget to enjoy the simple
beauties of life and nature around them—like the trees, animals, sunlight, rivers, and the beauty of
the world. The poet regrets that we don’t have time to "stand and stare" at the wonders of nature,
which are full of peace and joy. Through this poem, Davies reminds us that a life without time to
appreciate beauty is a poor and incomplete life.

Central Idea:

The central idea of the poem is that true happiness lies in slowing down and appreciating the beauty
of the world around us. A life filled only with responsibilities, without time to enjoy nature or reflect,
is not a life fully lived.

2-(Tartary)

> If I were Lord of Tartary,

> My bed should be of ivory,

> Of beaten gold my throne;

> And in my court should peacocks flaunt,

> And in my forests tigers haunt,

> And in my pools great fishes slant

> Their fins athwart the sun.

> If I were Lord of Tartary,

> Trumpeters every day

> To all my meals should summon me,

> And in my courtyards bray;

> And in the evening lamps should shine,

> Yellow as honey, red as wine,

> While harp, and flute, and mandoline

> Made music sweet and gay.

> If I were Lord of Tartary,

> I'd wear a robe of beads,

> White, and gold, and green they'd be --

> And small and thick as seeds;

> And ere should wane the morning star,

> I'd don my robe and scimitar.

> And zebras seven should draw my car

> Through Tartary's dark gleades.

> Her rivers silver-pale!

> Lord of the hills of Tartary.

> Glen, thicket, wood, and dale!

> Her flashing stars, her scented breeze,

> Her trembling lakes, like foamless seas,

> Her bird-delighting citron-trees,

> In every purple vale!

Summary:

In the poem "Tartary," the poet Walter de la Mare imagines himself as the ruler of a magical, dream-
like kingdom called Tartary. He creates a world filled with luxury, beauty, and natural wonder. His bed
would be made of ivory, his throne of gold, and his courts would be filled with dancing peacocks and
forests where tigers roam. Trumpets would announce every meal, and his evenings would be lit by
golden lamps, filled with music from harps and flutes.He describes himself wearing robes of beads in
white, gold, and green, riding through dark forests in a chariot pulled by seven zebras. He would be
the lord of Tartary’s rivers, hills, trees, and stars — everything beautiful and grand in nature.

Central Idea:

The central idea of the poem is the power of imagination and desire for freedom, beauty, and escape.
The poet dreams of a perfect world where he is free to enjoy the wonders of nature, live like royalty,
and find peace in the simplicity and majesty of an imagined land.It reflects how imagination can create
a world far beyond reality — full of adventure, elegance, and joy.

3-(The New Resolution)

I will drain

Long draughts of quiet

As a purgation;

Remember

Twice daily
 Who I am;

Will lie o’nights

In the bony arms

Of Reality and be comforted.

Summary:

Elizabeth Sewell's poem "New Year Resolutions" is a short but deep reflection on the inner changes a
person should aim for at the beginning of a new year. Instead of making common resolutions like
changing habits or achieving material goals, the speaker chooses more personal, emotional, and
spiritual resolutions. She wants to find peace in silence, remember who she truly is every day, and
accept the difficult realities of life.The poet uses symbolic language like “draughts of quiet” to show
her desire for calmness and mental clarity. She also wants to stay connected to her true self and face
life’s truths with courage. These resolutions are not temporary goals but long-term commitments to
self-growth and inner strength.

Central Idea:

The central idea of the poem is that true change begins from within. Elizabeth Sewell emphasizes that
personal growth comes through silence, self-awareness, and acceptance of reality. The poem teaches
us that peace and strength come not from changing the world around us, but from understanding and
accepting ourselves and the life we live.

4-(Woman Work)

I've got the children to tend

The clothes to mend

The floor to mop

The food to shop

Then the chicken to fry

The baby to dry

I got company to feed

The garden to weed

I've got shirts to press

The can to be cut

I gotta clean up this hut

Storm, blow me from here

With your fiercest wind

Let me float across the sky

'Til I can rest again.

Fall gently, snowflakes

Cover me with white

Cold icy kisses and

Let me rest tonight.

Sun, rain, curving sky

Mountain, oceans, leaf and stone

Star shine, moon glow

You're all that I can call my own.

Summary:

In these lines, the speaker—a hardworking woman—lists her daily responsibilities, which include
taking care of children, cooking, cleaning, gardening, and other household chores. The overwhelming
list reflects how burdened and exhausted she is. After listing all her duties, she turns to nature for
comfort. She calls on the storm, snowflakes, sun, rain, sky, mountains, and stars—elements of nature
that offer her peace, rest, and a sense of personal ownership, as they are the only things she truly
feels belong to her.

Central Idea:

The central idea is the physical and emotional exhaustion of a woman’s daily life and her longing for
escape and comfort. Nature becomes her refuge—a place where she feels peace, rest, and freedom,
 unlike her tiring domestic world.

5-Rebels

When everybody has short hair,

The rebel lets his hair grow long.

When everybody has long hair,

The rebel cuts his hair short.

When everybody talks during the lesson,

The rebel doesn’t say a word.

When nobody talks during the lesson,

The rebel creates a disturbance.

When everybody wears a uniform,

The rebel dresses fantastic clothes.

When everybody wears fantastic clothes,

The rebel dresses soberly.

In the company of dog lovers,

The rebel expresses a preference for cats.

In the company of cat lovers,

The rebel puts in a good word for dogs.

When everybody is praising the sun,

The rebel remarks on the need for rain.

When everybody is greeting the rain,

When everybody goes to the meeting

The rebel stays at home and reads a book.

When everybody stays at home and reads a book,

The rebel goes to the meeting.

When everybody says, Yes please!

The rebel says, No thank you.

When everybody says: No thank you,

The rebel says, Yes, please!

It is very good that we have rebels

You may not find it very good to be one.

Summary:

The poem "The Rebel" presents a character who always goes against the crowd. Whether it's about
hairstyle, clothing, pets, opinions, or behavior in class or society—the rebel chooses the opposite path.
If people are talking, the rebel stays silent; if others are silent, the rebel speaks. The poem humorously
highlights how some people always try to be different, no matter what the situation is.At the end, the
poet notes that while having rebels in society is good because they offer different perspectives, being
a rebel yourself might not always be enjoyable or accepted by others.

Central Idea:

The poem's central idea is about non-conformity and individualism. It shows how rebels resist
following societal norms and always choose to be different. While this can promote creativity and
change, the poem also reminds us that being a rebel can make one feel isolated or misunderstood.

8-Patriot into Traitor

It was roses, roses, all the way,

With myrtle mixed in my path like mad:

The church-spires flamed, such flags they had,

A year ago on this very day.

The air broke into a mist with bells,

The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries.

Had I said, “Good folk, mere noise repels—

But give me your sun from yonder skies!”

They had answered, “And afterward, what else?”

Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun

To give it my loving friends to keep!

Naught man could do, have I left undone:

And you see my harvest, what I reap

This very day, now a year is run.

There’s nobody on the house-tops now—

Just a palsied few at the windows set;

For the best of the sight is, all allow,

At the Shambles’ Gate—or, better yet,

By the very scaffold’s foot, I trow.

I go in the rain, and, more than needs,

A rope cuts both my wrists behind;

And I think, by the feel, my forehead bleeds,

Stones at me for my year’s misdeeds.

Thus I entered, and thus I go!

In triumphs, people have dropped down dead.

“Paid by the world, what dost thou owe

Me?”—God might question; now instead,

’Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.

Summary:

In "The Patriot", Robert Browning presents a dramatic monologue of a political leader who reflects on
his sudden fall from grace. A year ago, he was celebrated and welcomed with flowers and cheers.
Now, he's being led to execution, accused of misdeeds. Despite his downfall, he finds solace in divine
justice, believing that while the world has turned against him, God will recognize his true intentions.

Central Idea:

The poem explores the fleeting nature of public opinion and the volatility of political power. It
highlights how today's hero can become tomorrow's villain, emphasizing the importance of inner
conviction and the hope for ultimate justice beyond worldly judgments.